TRIBUTES have been paid to well-known rugby coach and former teacher Huw Powell, who died on Saturday.

Huw had a stroke at home in Aberystwyth on 7 July. He never regained consciousness and died in Bronglais Hospital exactly two weeks later. He was 78.

He leaves wife Gwen, daughters Elinor and Alison, and four granddaughters.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Elinor said: “My father was a legend and we’ll all miss him greatly. He was an inspirational teacher and raconteur with many, many friends.

“We’ll remember him as a devoted family man who adored his wife, daughters and granddaughters.

“My mother, sister and myself would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Acute Stroke Unit at Bronglais Hospital who made the last couple of weeks for Dad comfortable and peaceful at the end.”

Huw and Gwen met when they were three years old and have been married for 55 years.

They moved to Aberystwyth from Treorchy in 1964 when Huw took up a teaching post at Dinas School.

He was a PE teacher at the school – which went on to become Penglais – until 1990. Then he became a development officer for the Welsh Rugby Union, coaching rugby at schools throughout the country.

And in the 1980s he coached the Wales under-18 team which led to a Grand Slam victory.

Huw has also been heavily involved with Aberystwyth Rugby Club since the 1960s as a player, captain, coach, president and life member.

Paying tribute to Huw, club secretary Brian Isaac said he would be a great loss.

“His association with the club, and the work he has done for it is massive. He will be a great loss,” he said.

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